{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/009/0090432.htm","path":"chr/ecf/009/0090432.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/009/0090432.htm","text":"35. Scriptural References to Death.\nBut since here it is written in the three Evangelists, \u201cThey shall not taste of death,\u201d 5772 but in other writers different things are written concerning death, it may not be out of place to bring forward and examine these passages along with the \u201ctaste.\u201d In the Psalms, then, it is said, \u201cWhat man is p. 469 he that shall live and not see death?\u201d 5773 And again, in another place, \u201cLet death come upon them and let them go down into Hades alive;\u201d 5774 but in one of the prophets, \u201cDeath becoming mighty has swallowed them up;\u201d 5775 and in the Apocalypse, \u201cDeath and Hades follow some.\u201d 5776 Now in these passages it appears to me that it is one thing to taste of death, but another thing to see death, and another thing for it to come upon some, and that a fourth thing, different from the aforesaid, is signified by the words, \u201cDeath becoming mighty has swallowed them up,\u201d and a fifth thing, different from these, by the words, Death and Hades follow them.\u201d And if you were to collect them, you would perhaps find also other differences than those which we have mentioned, by a comparison of which with one another and right investigation, you would find the things signified in each place. But here I inquire whether it is a less evil to see death, but a greater evil than seeing to taste of it, but still worse than this that death should follow any one, and not only follow him, but also now come upon him and seize him whom it formerly followed; but to be swallowed up seems to be more grievous than all the things spoken of. But giving heed to what is said, and to the differences of sins committed, you will not I think, be slow to admit that things of this kind were intended by the Spirit who caused these things to be written in the oracles of God. But, if it be necessary to give an exposition clearer than what has been said of what is signified by seeing the Son of man coming in His own kingdom, or in His own glory, and what is signified by seeing the kingdom of God come with power, these things\u2014whether those that are made to shine in our hearts, or that are found by those who seek, or that enter gradually into our thoughts,\u2014let each one judge as he wills\u2014we will set forth. He who beholds and apprehends the excellency of the Word, as he breaks down and refutes all the plausible forms of things which are truly lies but profess to be truths, sees the Son of man, (according to the word of John, \u201cthe Word of God,\u201d) coming in His own kingdom; but if such an one were to behold the Word, not only breaking down plausible oppositions, but also representing His own truths with perfect clearness, he would behold His glory in addition to His kingdom. And such an one indeed would see in Him the kingdom of God come with power; and he would see this, as one who is no longer now under the reign of \u201csin which reigns in the mortal body of those who sin,\u201d 5777 but is ever under the orders of the king, who is God of all, whose kingdom is indeed potentially \u201cwithin us,\u201d 5778 but actually, and, as Mark has called it, \u201cwith power,\u201d and not at all in weakness within the perfect alone. These things, then, Jesus promised to the disciples who were standing, prophesying not about all of them, but about some.\nMatt. 16:28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27.\n469:5773 469:5774 469:5775 469:5776 469:5777 469:5778","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol IX: Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew.: Chapter XXXV","type":"page"}